The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
The Halloween season is upon us, and with it comes a flurry of festive trends. There’s limited-edition creepy Stanley cups to be bought; frightfully delicious Halloween cocktails to be made; and pumpkin spice products dominating every shelf. One such seasonal trend, though, has taken TikTok by storm this year: boo baskets.
Boo baskets are captivating young users with its promise of spooky surprises, Halloween treats, and neighborly Goodwill. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly harmless trend lies a darker truth: it’s a prime example of consumerism at its worst.
What are boo baskets?
The boo basket trend started off innocently, primarily among Millennial parents making baskets of candy, small toys, or other treats for their kids or with their kids to leave on their friends’ or neighbors’ doorsteps as a surprise. In return, they hope to receive a boo basket of their own — whether or not they’ll admit it. While the concept may seem innocent enough, it has quickly evolved into a full-blown consumer frenzy.
In recent years, Gen Z has put a new spin on the festive trend, with boo baskets — often chock-full of cozy, autumnal, and “girly” items in addition to the token Halloween candy — prepared and gifted by men to their girlfriends to make up for 16 weeks of watching Sunday football in the fall. What started out as a nice gesture, though, quickly catapulted into “gimme more.”
When it comes to boo baskets on social media; TikTok comment sections are often filled with women lamenting that they want a basket. Gen Z girlfriends, wives, and partners are voicing their wants into cyberspace, complaining that “they never got a boo basket,” are “waiting for [their] boo basket,” or simply “*crying in single*.”
They joke about tagging their significant others in videos and “playing videos extra loudly” so that their boyfriends “can get the hint” that the girl wants a spooky basket of her own. In a TikTok posted by @LexiHensler, she jokes that she “annoyed her boyfriend so much” about boo baskets in 2023 that he got her one in the first week of September this year. The grand total? $287.39. For a basket of, well, stuff. (Well, except for the $130 pair of Uggs and $25 Sol de Janeiro mist.)
When Hensler holds up an “Adopt a Ghost Jar” (which is $8.99 on Amazon, if you were wondering), even her boyfriend admits that it’s ludicrous: “I thought it was useless, so I bought it,” he tells her. Hensler then goes on to unbox and show off over $100 worth of Halloween merchandise — including socks, a candle, a decorative pumpkin, a mug, a hair clip, a blanket (“the base of every good boo basket), and a stuffed mummy — that, IMO, will be irrelevant come November 1.
She adds that the ($16, according to Amazon) decorative crinkle paper is “a nice touch” before wrapping up the video. Hensler seems oblivious to the cost of a boo basket (both the prices and to the environment) and encourages viewers to “Go get your girlfriend a boo basket! And your mom! And your sister! And potentially your dog!!”
How much do boo baskets cost?
Social media platforms like TikTok have amplified the trend, with influencers showcasing elaborate boo baskets filled with an array of branded products and expensive goodies. Whether or not consumers are aware of it, increasingly elaborate goodie baskets and remarkable reactions from friends, family, and significant others creates a sense of competition among users, who feel pressured to outdo each other with increasingly extravagant offerings.
Not even 30 seconds into this TikTok video by TheWeissLife, and the cost of the boo basket was already exceeding $100 (and then multiply that by their six kids, according to the caption.) Even if we lowball it, that’s still upwards of $700 for the family of eight — on top of the cost of Halloween costumes, fall activities, and goodies for trick-or-treaters. In response to the Weiss family’s extravagant basket, nacho.average.fam commented “I wish I could afford to get my daughters boo baskets.”
Reddit user lilcheetah2 said it best in a thread about the Halloween trend: “Everything is just about spending more damn money so we can post it on Instagram to say we did it.”
One example of another ridiculously expensive boo basket was posted by samandjessofficial on TikTok, where the large woven basket alone was $55. Sam even pokes fun at the trend, joking that he’s “Not sure why every girl needs to make every single season and holiday into a basket thing,” before showing off his haul, which was over $200. Beyond the Halloween treats (including a pumpkin spice scented candle and two packs of Halloween candy), Sam also bought his wife a $50 chunky knit throw blanket, a Stanley Quencher, and a sweater.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s super sweet that he picked out her favorite flavor of Celsius and got her Epsom salts for a relaxing bath; however, why does it have to be so extravagant? Given that the couple has 4.3 million followers on TikTok and over 2.7 million YouTube subscribers, a thoughtful gift can be negated or misconstrued for craving social media clout — especially when that video has 1.7 million views and 192.5k likes.
With “boo baskets” trending on social media, the focus of this trend has shifted from the spirit of Halloween to the acquisition of material goods. Unfortunately, the boo basket is yet another victim of society’s relentless need for social media clout.
Wait, so why are boo baskets a bad thing?
The pressure to participate in the boo basket trend can be particularly intense for young people, who are already susceptible to peer pressure and social media influence. Many may feel compelled to spend money on items they don’t need or can’t afford, simply to avoid being excluded or ridiculed by their peers. This can lead to financial stress and anxiety, especially for college students and young people on a tight budget.
Someone else who created extremely expensive content out of a boo basket? Influencer Mikayla Nogueira, who made a TikTok video detailing her trips to Home Goods and Target to stock up on a boo basket for her, well, boo. Forget blankets being the base of a great basket, Nogueira started her boo basket with a whopping $85 worth of gift cards to her husband’s favorite fast food places, including Wendy’s and Dunkin’. She continues with a bunch of Halloween snacks — before rounding out the $150-plus basket with a game and sweatpants.
TikTok user abby._.d even commented on Nogueira’s video saying “My brain wants to go do this but my bank account says no.” User adrianna_1999 echoed the sentiment, commenting “wish I was well off [financially].”
Furthermore, the boo basket trend contributes to excessive waste and environmental damage — as evidenced by Hensley’s single-use decorative crinkle paper. As more and more people participate, the demand for plastic packaging, disposable candy wrappers, and other non-biodegradable materials increases. This exacerbates the problem of plastic pollution and further contributes to climate change.
Gen Z is known for heightened environmental consciousness and is acutely aware of the pressing issues surrounding sustainability and the need for responsible consumption. The trend’s reliance on single-use plastics, such as candy wrappers and packaging, directly contradicts these values.
While the boo basket trend may seem like a harmless way to spread joy and cheer, it ultimately perpetuates a culture of consumerism that prioritizes material possessions over genuine human connection. Instead of focusing on the material aspects of the holiday, we should encourage activities that promote sustainability, mindfulness, and social responsibility while still capturing the spirit of Halloween, which emphasizes creativity, community, and fun.
How do I participate in the boo basket trend sustainably?
You don’t have to choose tricks over treats, by any means. If you want to participate in the trend and get in on the fun, set a realistic budget and stick to it. Do your best to plan your basket items ahead of time to avoid impulse purchases, and opt for affordable, homemade treats, like Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. And, stick ‘em in reusable containers and eco-friendly packaging materials.
Another alternative is a Spooky Swap. Gather your friends for a fun Halloween party, and bring something gently-used to swap — think clothing, books, or random and silly white elephant style items you don’t quite have a use for at home. You can make fun snacks (like a Halloween charcuterie board) and cocktails (or mocktails), dress up, and enjoy each other’s company on the holiday. Or, skip the swap altogether and have a pumpkin-painting contest for a cheap and creative Halloween activity.
Ultimately, a small, thoughtful gift is often more appreciated than a large, impersonal one. I love the Target Dollar Section as much as the next girl, but I don’t need a bunch of seasonal trinkets and goodies that will be out of season within a few weeks. While I’m all for getting in the holiday spirit (and a good shopping spree), the need for sustainability and underconsumption far outweighs 30 seconds of social media glory. Personally, I’d prefer the muffins.